Between a Rock and a Hard Place // c.h.

8 - FIFA

   I checked my phone. I had to mute my notifications for almost all social media after I was seen with Calum. If I hadn't muted them my phone would've never been silent. It had been four days since my date with Cal, he'd performed at three concerts. The press hadn't left him alone about us. I was worried he wouldn't ask me out again, it caused so much trouble. When I'd gotten with Mads and Abby to tell them about the date I'd received mixed reactions. Abby was extremely happy for me, asking for every detail. Mads had been slightly jealous. She would listen, but not pay attention. A lot of her reaction consisted of her responding "k." or "cool." She would change the subject, Abby would change it back, and she would attempt to change it again. The first time she acted genuinely interested was when Abby questioned the possibility of a triple date.

   I was hanging out with them and texting Calum when Abby brought it up. "Ask him if he could gather Ashton and Michael together for a triple date!" She joked. Mads looked up from her phone, suddenly interested.

  "You should!" Mads encouraged. She really liked Ashton. She had been talking about him as much as she had talked since the concert.

   I shrugged. "I'm not sure..." I didn't want to admit there was a possibility Calum didn't want a second date. "They're all the way down the coast, it'd take them a while to even come here to go on a date." My friends looked sad, they'd gotten their hopes up. "But I'll talk to him about it." I smiled softly as their faces lit up with child-like excitement. Just then I got a text from Cal that made my entire day better.

   Cal: It's been a while since we hung out, me and the boys are coming up tomorrow and Saturday, if you want to get a few friends together and hang out?

   I smiled widely after reading the message. It was like he'd read my mind. Then I remembered I had school. Although I was classified as a legal adult, the government dictated I finished my senior year. I sighed, messaging him back with a feeling of slight embarrassment.

   Cara: I have school tomorrow... Could we meet up after?

   Calum's response made me laugh and blush, which was something he was pretty good at.

   Cal: Where's the school? We'll pick you up :D

   I told my friends the conversation as it was happening. They squealed with excitement, the expressions on their faces matching. Abby looked like she'd won the lottery, Mads like she'd never been happier. I knew how they felt, I'd felt it earlier in the week. I texted Calum the address of our school, not able to believe what was happening actually was happening.

   Cal: We'll be there at 2:30 sharp. See you then schoolgirl ;)

   I giggled, my friends screamed. The energy level in the room was amazing. I had a second date with Calum Hood. Now I just had to sit through seven hours of law-dictated hell.

-

   The whole week at school had been interesting. People who'd never spoken to me before had come up to me, pretending we were friends. Tons of guys had started noticing me. I'd become a minor celebrity. I knew it was because of my date with Calum, so I went along with my normal life as much as I could. I wasn't into the whole fake friend thing.

   Sitting through classes had always been horribly boring, but on that particular Friday it was unbearable. I checked the clock multiple times, only to find that a minute, or if I was lucky, two, had passed. It was impossible to focus on anything my teachers said. By the time two-thirty rolled around, my nails were chewed down to the beds. The bell rang, excusing everyone for the weekend. I grabbed my bags, ran to find Addy and Mads, and hurried out the doors of the building. On the way out, I ran face-first into someone. Danny.

   I went to apologize but a lump caught in my throat. "Sorry." I forced, looking at my feet. I didn't wait for him to respond, I hurried forward, to where Mads and Abby were waiting. We scanned the parking lot, looking for the car. My eyes landed on a black van, Cal was leaning out the window waving to me. I smiled excitedly and led my friends to the vehicle. I threw open the door to see Ashton and Michael sitting in the back seat, leaving enough room for two people. They scooted so Abby and Mads could climb in.

   "Hi." I said to Calum while my friends got into the car. I suddenly realized who was driving. Luke smirked and waved at me, making my stomach flip just like it had at the concert. I waved back nonchalantly, grinning slightly.

   "Hey." Calum grinned widely at me. "Hop in!" I went to get in the van, but there was no room for me to sit. The boys and my friends looked squished enough, though I sure they were enjoying it at least somewhat.

   "I can't." I shook my head, pointing to the back seat with a look of defeat on my face. Cal looked at me mischievously. He had an idea.

   "Get in the front." He opened his door, gesturing for me to come. There wasn't an open seat. He patted his lap with his hand, and I finally understood. I shut the passenger door, hopping into the front. I didn't put my full weight on Calum's lap, because I didn't want him to think I was heavy. He put his hands around my waist and pulled me down so I rested on his lap. "Holy shit Cara.." I waited for him to say I was too much, that I needed to move. "You barely weigh anything!" He finished his sentence, I was surprised but I smiled. Calum wrapped his arms around my waist, resting them in my lap.

   "Ok, you nasty lovebirds." Luke groaned. "We're going back to the hotel?" I looked at him curiously. "We're staying here for a few days, so we're staying in a hotel near here." Luke explained. "But Cal insisted we all got individual rooms, so we're gonna go to Mikes since that's where the video games are. If that's ok with you guys?" He looked back at the rest of the people in the car. My friends nodded, Michael and Ashton both gave Luke a thumbs up. "Alright. Here we go." Luke drove faster than the speed limit, obviously not worried about getting pulled over. We ran over a pot hole, causing the van to bounce. I moved on Cal's lap, and he grabbed me around the waist again, pulling me up his lap, back into position. I laughed quietly, until I felt it. Calum was hard through his loose sweatpants. He pulled me towards it, and I subtly moved on it, causing him to tense, then relax. We sat still the rest of the thirty minute drive. I could feel his heart beating in his chest, and I could smell the cologne he'd worn.

   We got to Michaels room, Abby and him talked the whole time. They were in a heated discussion about some sort of video game. Apparently it was an important topic that needed to be debated. Mads and Ashton talked too, about music and bands, they seemed to really get along. Luke set up the game. Me and Cal sat on the edge of Michael's bed, talking about their concerts. I loved hearing him talk about stuff he was passionate about. When he talked about performing, his eyes lit up, they were bright despite their dark chocolaty color. It made my heart beat faster, which felt amazing. Then he stopped talking and looked me in the eye.

   "So who was that guy you bumped into on your way out of the building?" He asked gently, running his hand through his hair.

   "Oh.. You saw that?" I asked, blushing heavily. "He's just an old friend... we don't talk anymore though." I looked at Calum. 'God, he's beautiful.' I thought. I didn't think about what I did next. I leaned toward Calum, and he leaned toward me. Our lips met for just a second, his were soft and warm. I wanted to kiss him longer, stronger, but I held back. Luke gagged from his place on the floor. I felt my face turn a deep red.

   "Sorry bro." Calum blushed slightly, putting his hand behind his neck. "What're we playing?" He looked at the screen, changing the subject quickly.

   "We're playing FIFA." Luke gestured to Michael, Ashton, Mads, and Abby. "But we don't have enough controllers for everyone to play.. Sorry. Maybe we could take turns?" He looked apologetically at Calum.

   "It's alright." Cal smiled. "I think I have a couple controllers in my room. Do you wanna come look with me?" He looked at me innocently. I nodded, standing up from the bed. "We'll be back in a bit." Cal waved to the guys and I waved to my friends, they looked at me excitedly, wishing me luck. I smiled and followed Calum out of the room.